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A DELEGATION of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan led by Dr Farooq Sattar meets Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the Governor House on Saturday. The MQM-P team discussed the problems being faced by the party’s elected representatives for municipal bodies.—APP

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday defended the criticism by Nawaz Sharif of his disqualification, saying his leader was not undermining any institution but only sharing his thoughts with people which was his right by all means.

Responding to reporters’ questions minutes before his departure for Islamabad after a daylong visit to Karachi, at the Old Terminal of Quaid-i-Azam International Airport, Mr Abbasi rejected all objections to Mr Sharif’s ongoing rhetoric about the apex court’s judges who had disqualified him.

“He is still my leader,” the premier said in reply to a question. “And whatever Mian Sahab has said recently, he has done nothing wrong. He has accepted and respected the [court’s] decision...and he is only sharing his thoughts about the decision. It doesn’t mean undermining any institution. He has not targeted any individual or any institution.”

Rs25 billion uplift package announced for Karachi; MQM-P assured its complaints will be addressed

Answering a question about his term in office, Mr Abbasi remained non-committal, saying he was only toeing his party’s — the PML-N’s — line in this regard and whenever the party would decide he would quit the office immediately.

The prime minister spent a busy day in the city. He chaired back-to-back meetings at the Governor House and met different delegations. After arriving in Karachi along with Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and some other members of his cabinet, the PM visited the Quaid’s mausoleum to pay homage to the Father of the Nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Presiding over a meeting that discussed the security situation “in the province in general and Karachi in particular,” Mr Abbasi expressed his “concern” over a surge in crime rate in the metropolis.

“The peace and tranquillity in Karachi shall be maintained at all costs,” a statement issued after the meeting quoted the PM as saying. “The federal government is concerned at the recent surge in street crime in Karachi, which can compromise the gains made through sustained efforts of four years. There is a need for activating all intelligence resources to arrest this alarming trend.”

During a meeting with the business community and leaders of the Pakistan Business Council, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he assured them that their proposals for economic growth and increase in investment would be given due consideration.

“There is a convergence of interests between the government and the business community, as both are determined for economic growth and improvement in business atmosphere in the country,” he said.

The prime minister announced a Rs25 billion development package for Karachi and Rs5bn for Hyderabad to be provided by the federal government.

Meets MQM delegation

One of the most significant engagements of the prime minister was his meeting with the leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) at the Governor House.

Led by Dr Farooq Sattar, the MQM-Pakistan leaders shared “their grievances”, mostly related to political activities and the issues being faced by the party’s elected municipal administration.

The PM during his interaction with the media at the airport hinted at his role to address the MQM-Pakistan’s “complaints”.

“The MQM voted for my election as prime minister not against any demand or condition,” he emphasised. “In today’s meeting again, there was no demand or condition. They only shared their thoughts or concerns regarding issues in Karachi and Hyderabad. So I have promised them that I’d look into those issues and try to sort them out through joint efforts.”

PM Abbasi also visited the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre where he condoled with the staff on the death of Dr Ruth Pfau.

Comments (18) Closed

Good to see the progress and to address the sindh urban greivences especially of elected muncipilaties of Karachi and Hyderabad.look like that true sense of democracy is on track.

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alba

Aug 13, 2017 07:44am

He has done nothing wrong except lie to the courts.

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Aug 13, 2017 07:44am

Honourable Prime Minister. Supporting contempt of court is also considered a contempt. Please respect institutions.

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khanm

Aug 13, 2017 10:16am

they have no right, by anything they do or say, to demean our institutions being in its own eyes. What matters is not what they think of it ; it is what they think of themself. To undermine an institution's self-respect is a sin.

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Abdulla Hussain

Aug 13, 2017 10:22am

What ever Nawaz Sharif is saying and doing is crystal clear, no need for Abbasi to clarify. Abbasi should better concentrate on job of which he has taken oath.

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bbox

Aug 13, 2017 10:54am

now that's literally a dumb statement!

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Sajjad Ashraf

Aug 13, 2017 11:01am

His master's voice...

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Zak

Aug 13, 2017 11:35am

Is this man PM of PML-N or of Pakistan. As PM he should not be defending a political party leader, who is in the wrong. It for this reason, PML-N will not last long. We need elections soon.

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Nauman M

Aug 13, 2017 11:37am

In his speeches, the ex-PM has said the Constitution needs to be changed. Why? To make top level corruption easiers.

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Bilquees Riaz

Aug 13, 2017 12:39pm

As a sworn in PM your loyalty should be more to Pakistan than Royal Sharif family.

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Bilquees Riaz

Aug 13, 2017 12:41pm

Sharif is bashing Supreme Court and its judges in every single speech. Very bad new PM you are taking sides.

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Bilquees Riaz

Aug 13, 2017 01:32pm

Selecting Kulsum Nawaz for NA 120 thus keeping control in hands of Sharif family is promoting dynastic politics and is a disservice to Democracy and the country.

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A Ali

Aug 13, 2017 02:09pm

I do believe in same whatever PMLN denies... simple.

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Abdulla Hussain

Aug 13, 2017 02:12pm

As always MQM will get nothing.

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Keen observer

Aug 13, 2017 02:15pm

@Muhammad Aijaz Umer . I want to believe that, but will wait until words turn into action.

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Bilal Khan

Aug 13, 2017 02:24pm

He is right that, sharif is not undermining any institution. Actually he is undermining aliens.

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MYRESPONSE

Aug 13, 2017 04:28pm

It's time for Prime Minister Abbasi to stop defending Nawaz Shareef otherwise his own position will be in jeopardy. Regarding the 25 bn package for Karachi
the most important thing is to make sure this money
should go to the to elected representatives under the supervision of the mayor for the development of Karachi.